Richard Smith named interim principal at Sandy Creek H.S.

In the wake of Robert Hunter’s resignation as principal of Sandy Creek High School, the Fayette County Public School System has appointed the school’s long-time assistant principal and athletic director, Richard Smith, as interim principal starting immediately.

A letter submitted by Hunter stated that his resignation was in consideration of retirement.

Richard Smith has served as an assistant principal at Sandy Creek High for the last 13 years. He has over 22 years of experience as an educator, having taught high school social studies at Forest Park High and Starr’s Mill High schools until his promotion to assistant principal at Sandy Creek High in 2006.

He holds a Bachelor of Arts degree in history from the University of Georgia, a master’s degree in educational leadership from West Georgia University, and a specialist degree in educational leadership from West Georgia University.

Replacing Smith as assistant principal is Sammie Real, who has taught literacy writing at Bennett’s Mill Middle School for the past two years. He has over 12 years of teaching experience, having worked for both a private school and public high school in Baltimore, Maryland before joining the staff at Bennett’s Mill Middle.

Additionally, he was selected this year to participate in the school system’s administrative intern program. Approximately six to eight teachers who exhibit extraordinary leadership abilities are selected for the program each year where they complete a six-week internship job shadowing a principal at another school. This program is designed to help prepare Fayette County educators to become future administrators.

Real holds a Bachelor of Arts degree in fine arts from Morgan State University in Baltimore, Maryland, and a Master of Science degree in administration and supervision from Capella University in Baltimore, Maryland.

The leadership team is in place at Sandy Creek High School and is gearing up for the 2019-2020 academic year as the school enters its final teacher training phase to become an International Baccalaureate (IB) school, and will welcome the first students to the program in the fall of 2020.

Starting this school year, students will have the opportunity to take part in a new film pathway offered in conjunction with the Georgia Film Academy.

— News release from the Fayette County School System.